Volkswagen e-Golf

March 11, 2014: Based on the standard Golf: World Car of the Year and European Car of
The Year 2013 Range of 118 miles, standard full charge in 13 hours; fast
charge to 80 per cent in 35 mins Top speed of 87 mph; 0-62 mph in 10.4
seconds AC electric motor produces 85 kW / 115 PS and 270 Nm of torque

From today, 11 March, customers can place orders for the fully electric
Volkswagen e-Golf, which is priced at £25,845 on the road (including £5,000
Government grant or £30,845 RRP). The e-Golf can be ordered from one of 24
Volkswagen EV specialist Retailers across the UK, with the first deliveries
expected at the end of June.

Based on the multi-award-winning Golf hatchback, the e-Golf offers the
same virtues of practicality, refinement and advanced technology, but with
a purely electric drivetrain and no tailpipe emissions.

Like its smaller electric sibling, the e-up!, the e-Golf can be charged
from a household three-pin socket using the cable provided. With a standard
UK 230-Volt, 2.3 kW supply, this recharges the battery in 13 hours. An
optional wallbox for home use provides 3.6 kW supply and can recharge a
flat battery in eight hours. The wallbox is currently available at no cost,
through British Gas, while all customers of Volkswagen electric products
are also eligible for a green electricity tariff through Ecotricity.
Through use of the e-Golf’s standard combined charging system (CCS)
and a DC supply, the battery can be fully recharged (at levels of up to 40
kW) to 80 per cent capacity in just 35 minutes.

An AC electric motor (85 kW / 115 PS, and 270 Nm) provides drive, linked
to the front wheels via a single-speed gearbox. The lithium-ion battery is
integrated into the Golf’s floor and weighs 318 kg. It consists of
264 cells, together rated at 390 Volts and 26.5 kWh.

Acceleration from 0-62 mph takes 10.4 seconds. By comparison the Golf
BlueMotion, which is powered by a 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine with 110 PS
and 250 Nm, takes 10.5 seconds. Top speed for the e-Golf is 87 mph.
Depending on driving style, charge level and ambient conditions, the e-Golf
has a range of up to 118 miles.

An optional heat pump helps deliver maximum range in winter. This add-on
module for the electric heating and air conditioning uses heat from both
ambient air and the vehicle’s drive systems, significantly reducing
electricity consumption. It can increase the e-Golf’s range in cold
weather by up to 20 per cent.

As well as a standard driving mode, the e-Golf has two economy profiles:
‘Eco’ and ‘Eco+’. ‘Eco’ cuts peak power
to 70 kW / 95 PS, reduces the output of the air conditioning system and
modifies the accelerator response. Top speed is cut to 74 mph and 0-62 mph
takes 12.1 seconds. ‘Eco+’ limits maximum power to 55 kW / 75
PS, torque to 175 Nm, and top speed to 56 mph, while the accelerator
response is modified and the air conditioning disabled. In either mode,
full performance can be accessed by kicking down on the accelerator pedal,
as in a vehicle with a conventional automatic gearbox.

The e-Golf’s range can also be influenced by regenerative braking.
There are five modes: D, D1, D2, D3 and B. In D, the vehicle coasts without
regenerative braking when the accelerator is lifted. In each other mode,
lifting off the accelerator pedal provides greater regenerative braking. In
D2, D3 and B, the brake lights are activated when the driver’s foot
is lifted from the accelerator pedal, provided that a predetermined level
of deceleration is achieved.

The e-Golf is the first production Volkswagen to feature full LED
headlights. These produce brighter light and use less electricity than
xenon headlights. Other bespoke exterior design elements include C-shaped
LED daytime running lights in the front bumper, a signature blue strip
running the width of the radiator grille and into the headlights, and a
blue-edged Volkswagen roundel. The interior includes blue stitching on the
upholstery, and the option of blue ambient lighting.

In the UK, the e-Golf is available with five doors only, and in a single
well-equipped trim level based on the standard Golf SE, with the addition
of 2Zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, e-specific
‘Tilleves’ alloy wheels and Discover Pro satellite navigation,
with an eight-inch colour touchscreen. For the e-Golf the Discover Pro
system includes added functionality including a range display, and the
option to pre-programme the vehicle’s heating or cooling systems. For
smartphone users (Android or iOS), the Volkswagen ‘Car-Net’ app
enables many vehicle functions to be controlled remotely, including
charging, heating or cooling and more. Three years’ subscription to
Car Net is included as standard.